⚫ For Ian Thompson — Our Gentle Guardian
It was Boxing Day 2022 when the world shifted, something sacred happened— you let go.
Not in defeat, but in grace.
You had fought long and hard, quietly, without fuss—just like everything you did.
And when you left, it was as if the sky itself paused to honor you.
You were never one for grand gestures.
You didn’t like people fussing over you.
You’d rather be the one fixing things, carrying burdens, making sure everyone else was okay.
You became the man of the family—not because you demanded it, but because you showed up.
Every time.
For all of us.
You had this quiet way of making everyone feel safe.
Not with big speeches, but with presence.
With kindness. With that gentle, knowing smile that said, “I’ve got you.”
As your nephew, I was lucky to grow up under your watchful eye. And when I introduced Rebecca to you later in life, you welcomed her like she’d always belonged. You made her feel at home, as if the family had always had a space carved out just for her.
We shared stories, swapped memories, and though there weren’t enough of them, what we built was real.
Unbreakable. No one can take that from us.
Now, Rebecca and I visit your grave with flowers, always chosen with care. It’s our way of saying, “You’re still here.” and sometimes we just sit, letting the silence speak. It’s not a place of sorrow—it’s a place of connection. A place where love lingers. A place we can feel close to you.
We imagine you now, dancing with the angels,
laughing with Nana, Dominic, and Rebecca’s granddad— surrounded by all those we’ve loved and lost.
The party up there must be something else.
Down here, Rebecca and I feel you still.In the way we remember. In the way we love. In the way we live.
You’re watching over us—we know it. Not with fanfare, but with that same quiet devotion.You were, and always will be, our gentle guardian. And we will carry your love forward, like a lantern lit from your flame.
Scott Thompson
26/12/2025
